Creating a camping-inspired photoshoot with one beauty dish and natural light
Some photoshoot ideas come from locations, others from props or a particular model. This one started with an image I came across on my computer a while back. The concept stayed with me, and when Amanda Lee Locklear and I began talking about working together again after several years, I thought it was a good opportunity to finally bring that idea to life.
The goal was to create the feeling of a quiet evening spent camping in the woods, with a canvas tent, a good book, and the warm glow of a lantern. I wanted the lighting to remain dark and moody, rather than making the scene look like a typical outdoor portrait.
Our location was Stephen F. Austin State Park, where the surrounding trees provided a natural way to control the sunlight and create the secluded atmosphere I had in mind.
Building a Campsite in the Woods
I didn't need an elaborate set to create the look I wanted. I purchased a canvas backdrop and lantern from Amazon, then used a canvas drop cloth draped over a rope to create the appearance of a small tent. Amanda supplied the books, which helped complete the scene.
The canvas gave us the structure of the tent, while the blankets and lantern helped establish the feeling of a comfortable little hideaway in the woods. With everything in place, we had a simple setup that could be photographed from several angles without needing to build an elaborate set.
We started shooting a few hours before sunset. I chose a spot among the trees where the surrounding woods could block as much direct sunlight as possible. Working in the shade helped keep the scene from becoming too bright and gave me greater control over the ambient light.
I still wanted some of the remaining evening sunlight to reach the background, though. The idea wasn't to eliminate the natural light completely, but to reduce it enough to maintain the darker atmosphere while preserving some depth in the surroundings.
One Beauty Dish and a Little Natural Light
For the lighting, I kept things simple. My 16-inch beauty dish was the only strobe I used throughout the shoot.
I brought the beauty dish down low in front of Amanda, positioning it slightly to one side and a little behind her. I wanted the light to wrap around her face and illuminate it without making the entire scene too bright.
The strobe was set to very low power. Rather than overpowering the ambient light, I used just enough flash to bring out the details in Amanda's face while allowing the shadows to remain an important part of the composition.
This approach also helped maintain the feeling of being tucked away inside a tent at the end of the day. The surrounding woods and canvas stayed relatively dark, while the controlled light on Amanda directed attention toward her and the book.
Meanwhile, the fading evening sunlight provided a little illumination in the background. The trees helped block the stronger ambient light, allowing me to retain some natural light without losing the mood I was after.
It's a technique I enjoy using outdoors: let the environment provide what it can, then use the strobe to control the light on the subject.
Working Around the Hair and Shadows
Amanda's dark hair complemented the low-key lighting and the deeper tones of the canvas and blankets. It helped the overall scene maintain the subdued look I wanted, rather than creating a bright contrast between the subject and her surroundings.
There were a few moments, however, when her hair got between the beauty dish and her face, blocking some of the light. With the light positioned low and slightly to the side, even a small change in the way her hair fell could affect how the light reached her face.
It's one of those little challenges that can come up during a photoshoot, especially when working with longer hair and a directional light source. Paying attention to how the hair falls, along with small adjustments to the pose, can make a noticeable difference.
I didn't want to solve every shadow by adding another light. The shadows were part of the look, and keeping the setup simple allowed me to concentrate on the direction of the light and how it shaped Amanda's face.
Keeping the Lighting Simple
One of the things I enjoy about outdoor portrait photography is finding ways to combine natural light with a strobe. The two don't have to compete with each other, and a successful setup doesn't necessarily require multiple lights.
For this session, the trees helped control the ambient light, the fading sunlight contributed to the background, and the beauty dish gave me control over the light on Amanda. Each played a different role in creating the final look.
The canvas, blankets, books, and lantern established the setting, but the lighting brought the scene together. By keeping the strobe at low power and allowing some natural light to remain in the background, I could create a darker, more intimate atmosphere without making the photographs feel disconnected from the outdoors.
For photographers attempting a similar concept, it's worth considering what the location can do for you before setting up your lights. Finding shade, paying attention to the direction of the remaining sunlight, and deciding how much ambient light to retain can make a simple one-light setup surprisingly effective.
Sometimes, the answer isn't more equipment. It's finding the right place, positioning one light carefully, and knowing when to leave the shadows alone.
A World Between the Pages
Looking back at this session, I'm reminded that a photoshoot doesn't have to involve a complicated setup to bring an idea to life. This concept began with an image that caught my attention, and with a canvas drop cloth, a lantern, a few books, one beauty dish, and the natural surroundings at Stephen F. Austin State Park, we created our own little world in the woods.
It was also great to work with Amanda Lee Locklear again after several years. Getting the opportunity to revisit a creative connection while exploring an idea I'd held onto for so long made this session especially enjoyable.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little inspiration, a willing model, and a simple lighting setup to turn an idea into something worth sharing.
Thank you, Amanda, for being part of this shoot and for bringing the books that helped complete the scene.